A sudden gust of wind shifted the clouds that had, until now, obstructed the path of the moonlight, as it shone down on the small clearing where I stood.

The same gust of wind made me shiver. Though the season had most definately advanced well into autumn, I was still in the habit of wearing my summer jacket, too light for the chill that hung in tonight’s misty air.

Of course, the wind was not the only contributor to my shiverings. The shadow that had stalked me through the woods was still mere millimetres in front of me, and the weak moonlight elicited a faint glimmer from the weapon-like object the shadow carried.

Hang on.

The faint glimmering was growing brighter. And it was most definately not the silvery reflection of moonlight. It was orange!

As the light of the lantern (for that is what the shadow carried) increased, I saw, with great relief, a face I recognised.

“Hey,” said the park ranger. “You’re not supposed to wander away from the group like that. It could be dangerous out here.”